FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

State Education Department Holding Public Meeting To Provide Updates On Actions In East Ramapo Central School District

Public Meeting to be Held Sep. 28

Commissioner MaryEllen Elia and Monitor Charles Szuberla to

Present and Answer Questions

Spanish and Haitian-Creole Versions of News Release are Below

The State Education Department will hold a public meeting on Sep 28 to update the East Ramapo Central School District community on Commissioner MaryEllen Elia and State Monitor Charles Szuberla’s efforts to ensure that all students have access to appropriate programs and services and that the district is on a path to fiscal and programmatic stability.

The meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sep 28 at Rockland County Community College’s Cultural Arts Theater located at 145 College Road, Suffern, NY. Commissioner Elia and Monitor Szuberla will update the community on the state’s actions in East Ramapo. Monitor Dr. John Sipple will also attend.

Following their presentation, members of the public will have the opportunity to ask questions. Due to the anticipated high volume of questions, members of the public will be asked to submit their questions on cards. Similar or repeated questions may be summarized and or combined to ensure that the Commissioner and Monitor can address as many questions as possible.

The public meeting is part of Szuberla and Commissioner Elia’s work to provide enhanced communication with the East Ramapo community through greater outreach to students, parents and stakeholders. In an effort to ensure all parents and community members are aware of developments in the district, the Department has started to provide written materials in English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole and translators will be at the public meeting as well.

Commissioner Elia appointed Szuberla in August and since then, he has been a regular presence in the district, helping the district develop its plan for the school year. Pursuant to the legislation enacted in June, Szuberla has the authority to monitor district operations, including fiscal and operational management and educational programming, and to provide guidance, recommendations and propose actions for improvement to the school district, as well as to the State Education Department, to ensure that students have access to appropriate programs and services and that the district is on a path to fiscal and programmatic stability.

Additionally, the Department has created an electronic mailing list for East Ramapo students, parents, teachers, community members and other stakeholders. The Department will provide updates and share district-related information through this mailing list. If you would like to receive these e-mail updates, please send an e-mail to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.NYSED.GOV. The body of the message should read: SUBSCRIBE EAST-RAMAPO Your Name (Example: SUBSCRIBE EAST-RAMAPO Jane Smith).